Wednesday, 8 January 2014

"Well, what’re you waiting for, human?" The vampire’s thin lips barely moved. Yet his threat carried clearly, as if they weren’t combatants standing on opposite sides of the vast arena, ready to fight to the death. Not even the crowd’s insane enthusiasm and constant cheering was enough to drown the bloodsucker’s threatening words.

Eniell Knox rolled his bare shoulders and felt the tense muscles of his back relax. He clenched his hands into tight fists, glad his nails were short enough they didn’t cut into his palms. His legs were ready to strike—whether that involved running, leaping, or holding steady.

He was ready for this fight.

The long-haired jerk who called himself Amon had taunted him for the last time. In this kill or be killed situation, there was only one thing left to do.

Knox gestured for Amon to "come here", hoping to put him off his game. He’d seen what this fanged bastard could do, and Knox had no intention of becoming his next meal.

Amon raised his nose and sniffed the air between them like a demented hound. A small smile curved the vampire’s bloodless lips and Knox realized he needed to act fast.

He took off. His toes kicked up the dirt inside this hellish place, but the discomfort didn’t deter Knox from his target. His opponent mirrored his motions, until they were speeding toward each other and collided with the hard thump of two muscled bodies.

The clash teased the crowd into an eruption of cheers so loud the air felt electric with a collective lust for violence, making Knox’s skin crawl. The spectator’s enthusiasm disgusted him but also energized his body, urging him to deliver what they’d come to see. As much as he despised everything about this arena, every time he stepped inside he couldn’t contain the excitement and desire to win. Most of the time, because winning was the difference between life and death. Other times, he simply wanted to be victorious.

Knox bounced off the wiry man, surprised at the creature’s strength even when he should’ve expected it.

"I’m going to enjoy feasting on you," Amon taunted, the grin never leaving his lips. The asshole flashed his sharp fangs like a hissing cat, but Knox refused to let him get under his skin. A measly pair of fangs wasn’t enough to scare him.

Knox wanted one outcome—survival. Sure, he yearned to escape this filthy existence, but only survival mattered within the confines of this arena.

"You’ll have to catch me first, mate." He smashed the heel of his right foot against the vampire’s forehead, not even feeling the pain.

Amon stumbled back a step but instantly regained his footing. A gash broke the taut, anemic skin above his left, gold eyebrow and dark blood beaded the cut, dripping into his eye. His unnerving smile returned, making him look hideous. "Is that all you’ve got?"

Knox slammed his other foot into the vampire’s midsection.

Beat, repeat—it’s the only way to get out of this alive.

"If you want to win, you’ll have to hit harder than that," Amon said with a laugh.